Bar Leather Apron owner Justin Park won the award for best technical bartender during the United States Bartenders’ Guild “Shake It Up!” competition on Tuesday in Las Vegas, marking the second time in three years the Bar Leather Apron owner was recognized by the organization for his mixology skills.

“(I’m) honored to be recognized for my technical ability,” he said. “That’s something I focus on and work on every single night at Bar Leather Apron.

“Taste is subjective, but technicality is something that is tangible. I’m proud to represent Hawaii and … bring this recognition back home.”

The “Shake It Up!” contest is held during the annual Nightclub and Bar Convention in Vegas, and the overall winner — this year it was Egor Polonskiy, beverage director at Chicago’s Untitled Supper Club — is widely considered to be the best bartender in the United States.

The USBG also selected Park as this year’s lone Hawaii-based finalist in its World Class cocktail contest, where he will compete against 14 other bartenders in a western regional semifinal on April 12 in Honolulu. Three people will advance to the U.S. finals set for June in Washington, DC and the winner of that round will move on to the global finals in Miami later this year.