The Excellence of Italian Distillates Shines at the 43rd Alambicco d'Oro 2026

The Italian spirits industry gathered in Bellaria Igea Marina from 15 to 17 May 2026, in the picturesque setting of the Hotel Gambrinus, for the final judging sessions of the 43rd ANAG Alambicco d’Oro National Competition. Organised by the National Association of Grappa and Spirits Tasters (ANAG), the event remains the most authoritative and rigorous showcase for celebrating the quality and evolution of Italian spirits. This year’s edition marked a moment of profound renewal for the sector, combining the promotion of tradition with cutting-edge evaluation tools.

A National Comparison Between Tradition and New Trends

For three days, the Hotel Gambrinus became the hive of intense technical and cultural discussion between the finest producers from every Italian region. The competition opened its doors to both historic artisanal distilleries and emerging producers and wineries. All the samples presented share an unshakeable bond with their region and strict adherence to national and European production regulations. The spotlight shone on four major macro-categories of exclusively national products:

• Bunchdivided by grape variety, ageing and geographical origin.

• Fruit and grape brandiescapable of capturing the purest aromatic essence of the raw material.

• BrandyThe great local spirits of meditation, an expression of long passages through wood.

• Gin: the phenomenon of the moment, strictly in Italian version, rich in territorial and Mediterranean botanicals.

Record Participation and Blind Tasting: The Numbers of Success

Participation in the event saw extraordinary numbers, a testament to a dynamic sector eager to test itself. Over 60 qualified ANAG tasters, from delegations across Italy and selected through rigorous regional tests, formed the judging panels. The evaluation process took place using the blind tasting formula:

• Absolute anonymity: the judges evaluated the samples without knowing the brand or producer.

• Sensory analysis: each distillate was examined from a visual, olfactory and retronasal perspective.

• Final score: the judging panels have decreed the awarding of the historic Best Gold, Gold, and Silver medals, as well as special prizes for “Best Overall Score” to the most awarded distillery and “Grappa's Dress” dedicated to the best packaging.

The Debut of the New Official Tasting Sheet

The real big news from Golden Still Competition 2026 This was the presentation of the new official tasting sheet. Developed to respond to the evolution of contemporary taste and the structural complexity of new aromatic profiles (particularly for avant-garde gins and grappas), the sheet introduces an even more analytical evaluation approach. This new tool optimises the quantitative and qualitative analysis of aromatic descriptors, guaranteeing a transparent and uniform judgement. The sheet allows for the precise mapping of the balance of spirits, the intensity of botanicals, and the final persistence, offering producers invaluable technical feedback to elevate commercial standards.

The Institutional Value of Context

The success of the three-day event in Bellaria Igea Marina reaffirms the importance of the Alambicco d’Oro as a guide for consumers and a mark of quality for the market. Under the prestigious patronage of AssoDistil, of the Chamber of Commerce of Alessandria and Asti and of National Consortium for the Protection of Grappa, ANAG continues to chart the path for the future of Italian spirits: a future of scientific rigour, passion, and unmistakable territorial identity.