Local industry talent turned out for a cocktail competition hosted by Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI), and Hartford’s Sunberry Restaurant & Bar on Nov. 14. Six area bartenders competed, creating original craft cocktails featuring Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whisky for a panel of judges: Jason McClellan, CDI; Khalid Williams, The Barrel Age; and Moriah Aronson, Bar Manager, Sunberry Restaurant & Bar. The winners were third place: Ruvin Bogati, Fork & Fire; second place: Ashley Gandi, Sunberry Restaurant & Bar; and first place: Ozzie Casco, RoadRunner Kitchen + Bar. Monkey Shoulder, created to make whisky cocktails, offers a nose of zesty orange, vanilla, honey and spiced oak with a mellow vanilla flavor with spicy hints. The blend’s smooth, malty and fruity character is “bold enough to stand out in a drink and balanced enough not to take it over.” Produced by William Grant & Sons, the whisky is distributed in the state by CDI.