Edinburgh bartender honoured with prestigious title in global bar awards

Iain was 'grateful' for the award
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


An Edinburgh bartender has been honoured with a "prestigious title" at a global bar awards.

Iain McPherson, who runs Panda & Sons in the capital, has been announced as the Altos Bartenders' Bartender - as part of the World's 50 Best Bars this year. The title is voted for by peers who were asked to name someone in the field who is "pushing the limits of what it means to be a great bartender".

The winner is said to be making a significant impact in the global bar sector, and committed to the "international community". Iain first started out in The Voodoo Rooms back in 2007, where he "made a name for himself".

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On winning the award, McPherson says: “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."

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A spokesperson for the event said: "Iain’s love of hospitality was born in The Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh, joining as a bar back in 2007 and working alongside some of the eras most esteemed bartending talent, where he quickly made a name for himself on the international stage.

"Just six short years later, he opened his first bar, Panda & Sons, in the Scottish capital, hidden behind a vintage barbershop frontage on Queen Street. On descending to the basement, the interiors are part cocktail pub, part Prohibition speakeasy, the russet wood panelling adorned with knick-knacks and curiosities galore, alongside numerous Panda-inspired touches. In 2015, Iain also opened Hoot the Redeemer in the city, a New Orleans-inspired dive bar renowned for its outstanding cocktails and boozy ice cream.

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"Renowned as an unparalleled innovator, his mission to expand the flavour spectrum through sub-zero experimentation has revolutionised the bar world’s approach to freezing and its impact on flavour. While the latest Panda & Sons menu, Transcend, has garnered much international acclaim for its outstanding presentation of his groundbreaking techniques, Iain’s scientific creativity is rivalled only by his commitment to knowledge-sharing within his industry.

"He offers full transparency on his proprietary techniques and travels the world hosting seminars and masterclasses to fuel cocktail innovation for everyone."

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.”