The United States Bartenders’ Guild Connecticut (USBG CT) chapter, along with Allan S. Goodman and Eder Bros., hosted the ninth and tenth bouts of its 10-series “Civil War” bartending competition. Machu Pisco was the featured spirit ingredient on August 14 at Taprock in Unionville. In first place, Atilio Lopez de Castro; in second place Nikki Simches, in third, Rachel Markoja. On August 28, Speyburn American Whiskey was highlighted in competing cocktail creations at Cask Republic in Norwalk. The event was blind-judged: each cocktail was presented to the judges after they were created, while only spectators watched the preparation. In first place, Mike Hannah; in second, Katie Allen; and in third place, Ashley Lurie. Each competition set the stage for September’s Grand Finale.