Iain McPherson of Panda & Sons has been announced as the winner of the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award as part of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 ahead of the live awards ceremony in Madrid, in October.
Sponsored by Perrier, the award is voted for by the bartenders on this year’s list of The World’s 50 Best Bars, who are asked to name one peer who pushes the limits of what it means to be a great bartender and who has made a significant impact in the global bar sector over the voting period.
Iain’s love of hospitality started in The Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh, joining as a bar back in 2007 and working alongside some of the eras best bartending talent. Six years later, he opened his first bar, Panda & Sons, in the capital before opening Hoot the Redeemer in 2015 and the Nauticus in Leith in 2018.
Iain said, “I am overwhelmingly full of gratitude to be named this year’s Altos Bartenders’ Bartender. How meaningful it is to be nominated by the people that I look up to and admire daily – a true honour. Awards, especially one like this, are never truly an ‘individual’ effort but a reflective accolade of the creative, collaborative, driven and passionate team at Panda & Sons.
“They continuously inspire me and together we have pushed boundaries, creating magic for all. It’s always a huge honour to be representing bonnie wee Scotland on the international bartending stage and I believe this award also shines a light on what an amazing bar scene we have in Edinburgh.”
Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Bars, says, “We are delighted to unveil Iain McPherson as the winner of this year’s Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award. He is renowned for his contribution to cocktail excellence and innovation, and his commitment to education within the industry (as well as his signature panda accessories). His sincere advocacy for Edinburgh’s hospitality industry demonstrates the most important attributes of a true Bartenders’ Bartender.”
Carlos Andrés Ramirez, Global Advocacy & PR Manager for Altos Tequila, adds, “For the Altos Tequila and Altos Tahona Society family, it has been a priority to support bartenders on scaling up their careers. We want to congratulate our friend Iain McPherson from Panda and Sons in Edinburgh on winning the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award as part of The Worlds 50 Best Bars 2024. We are so happy to see this recognition to one of our favourite bartenders in Scotland!”
