Iain McPherson, the founder of one of Edinburgh’s finest cocktail bars, Panda & Sons, has been announced as winner of the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award 2024 (part of The World’s 50 Best Bars competition).
This prestigious award is voted for by the bartenders on this year’s list of The World’s 50 Best Bars, who are asked to name someone who pushes the limits of what it means to be a great bartender.
Panda & Sons, which Iain launched in 2013, joined The World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2018 (ranked 61st) and it has risen through the ranks to number 39 in 2023.
On winning the award, McPherson 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 ones 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.”
For more information about Panda & Sons visit their website
About The World’s 50 Best Bars
Sponsored by Perrier, The World’s 50 Best Bars provides a definitive list of the world’s best drinking venues, voted for by an Academy of more than 700 experts worldwide.
The World’s 50 Best Bars list has been published annually since 2009 and has become the most anticipated ranking for drinks professionals and cocktail aficionados across the world, with the awards the highlight of the bar industry calendar.
The list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars has been published since 2016, while the list of North America’s 50 Best Bars was launched in 2022. William Reed, which owns the 50 Best brand, is entirely responsible for the organisation of the awards, the voting system and the respective lists.