Monty the Giant Schnauzer wins Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Monty, a Giant Schnauzer, was named Best in Show at the 2025 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Tuesday.
The winner of the Working Group for the past three years at Westminster, Monty becomes the first Giant Schnauzer ever to win Best in Show at the prestigious contest.
Monty's triumph broke a long drought for the Working Group, which hadn't produced a Best in Show winner at Westminster since 2004.
The five-year-old Giant Schnauzer was also awarded Best in Show at the AKC National Championship in December.
'He always tries so hard, and I'm so proud of him,' Monty's owner and handler Katie Bernardin said to Fox Sports 1, choking back tears after the big win.
'Puppy did the damn thing!'
Prev
Next
The Westminster Dog Show, celebrating its 149th edition this year, is the second-oldest continuously held sporting event in the US behind only the Kentucky Derby.
According to organizers, the show sees around 3,000 dogs from around the world descend on New York City to compete in the annual competition.
The Best in Show prize is the most coveted award at the long-running competition and is chosen by a single judge. This year's judge, Paula Nykiel, had to decide between the winners of the respective seven varying groups.
The seven groups are: Herding, Hound, Non-Sporting, Sporting, Terrier, Toy and Working – made up of various breeds and varieties of canines.
Reserve Best in Show, the designation for the first runner-up, went to a nine-year-old Whippet named Bourbon, who had come out of retirement to enter the competition this year. This was Bourbon's third Reserve Best in Show win at Westminster.
This year, the pageantry and spectacle returned its usual February scheduling and was brought back to its original 1877 host venue of Madison Square Garden in New York – then known as Gilmore's Garden.
The competition changed location in 2021 following the Covid-19 pandemic before returning to MSG this year ahead of next year's 150th anniversary.
'I've always loved all the history and tradition that is Westminster,' Nykiel told the sell-out crowd before naming the Best in Show winner.
'I'm sure everyone here tonight is as happy as I am for Westminster to be back in Manhattan, and here at the iconic Madison Square Garden.'
Dates for the 150th anniversary event in 2026 have yet to be announced.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
4 days ago
- Forbes
Old Fitzgerald Returns To Its Roots With New 7-Year-Old Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7-Year There's a quiet kind of prestige in a bourbon that doesn't shout to be noticed. For generations, Old Fitzgerald has held that role in the whiskey world—a wheated bourbon with a reputation for refinement, favored by bartenders, collectors, and those who know the value of legacy in a glass. Now, Heaven Hill Distillery is giving the brand its most accessible spotlight in years with the launch of Old Fitzgerald 7-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey—a new signature expression that connects its storied past with an open invitation to the next wave of whiskey fans. And it comes with impeccable timing: 155 years after the Old Fitzgerald trademark first appeared in 1869. Built on the success of the high-end Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series introduced in 2018, this new 7-year-old release strikes a balance between heritage and approachability. Priced at approximately $59.99 for a 700ml bottle, it's positioned as a more attainable bottle for both longtime admirers and curious newcomers. The bourbon is aged for seven years in Level 3 charred new American oak barrels and bottled at 100 proof, meeting the stringent standards of the Bottled-in-Bond Act. It leans into the brand's signature wheated profile with a mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. From the moment the cork pops, the whiskey reveals its character: a bright copper hue in the glass and a nose that conjures graham crackers and honey. The palate brings warmth and structure—fresh bread, brown sugar, and baking spices—while the finish delivers a cozy taper of cinnamon sweetness fading into oak. 'Seven years proved to be a sweet spot for a whiskey that already transcends expectations for a wheated bourbon,' said Heaven Hill Master Distiller Conor O'Driscoll. 'This refined bourbon carries the same layered elegance its longer-aged sibling made famous, and the same commitment to excellence found in every bottle from Heaven Hill Distillery.' Alongside the liquid, the bottle itself offers a masterclass in nostalgic design—familiar yet refreshed. The diagonal red 'Old Fitzgerald' wordmark harkens back to the 1884 trademark. 'Your Key to Hospitality,' a phrase first found in the brand's vintage ads, now appears front and center on the label and is blown into the base of the bottle. Elegant fluting on the shoulder and a diamond-faceted closure pay homage to the 1950s diamond decanter bottles that helped cement Old Fitzgerald's premium identity. Transparency is also part of the packaging ethos: 'Bottled-in-Bond' is boldly noted on the label, and the distillation season and year are stamped on the neck wrap—clear nods to quality and authenticity. And authenticity is something Heaven Hill takes seriously. The distillery owns more Bottled-in-Bond brands than any other, carrying the torch for a category that demands high standards: a single distillation season, a single distiller, and aging in a federally bonded warehouse for at least four years. To Heaven Hill Executive Chairman Max Shapira, Old Fitzgerald isn't just a brand—it's part of a personal and national history. 'This is a brand that's near and dear to my heart. I remember some of the early ads the brand is now harkening back to – and what makes me most proud is that throughout decades of changes, Old Fitzgerald has stood the test of time and maintained its unwavering commitment to quality,' Shapira said. 'It mirrors my family's story in many ways... Today, we're sharing Old Fitzgerald's story, legacy and quality with a new generation of whiskey lovers who will experience the key to hospitality.' That hospitality will take physical form in the months to come: the rollout of Old Fitzgerald 7-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond will be accompanied by a series of nationwide partnerships and immersive experiences designed to celebrate what it means to welcome someone in—glass in hand. With this release, Heaven Hill isn't just debuting a new bourbon—they're reasserting Old Fitzgerald's place in the pantheon of American whiskey. It's a bottle made for sipping neat by the fire or sharing across the table, equally at home in a collector's cabinet or behind the bar.
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Forbes
The Top Bourbons From The 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Bourbon on the rocks The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the world's most extensive judging of bourbon. Out of more than 500 entries, roughly three dozen bourbons made the final round in each category. These finalists will vie for the Best in Category in their respective divisions and World's Best Bourbon accolades. Below is a summary of the finalists vying to ascend to the pinnacle of America's bourbon universe. The Straight Whiskey Finalists from the 2025 SFWSC Old Grand-Dad, 16 YO Straight Bourbon, 50% ABV, 750 ml. $195 World Whiskey Society, Doc Holiday 15 YO Straight Bourbon, 68.1% ABV, 750 ml. $399 Elijah Craig, Barrel proof C924, 64.5% ABV, 750 ml. $75 Eagle Rare, 17 YOS Straight Bourbon, 50.5% ABV, 750 ml. $150 Ray's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45% ABV, 750 ml. $35 See 5 Must-Try Bourbons From 2025's San Francisco World Spirits Competition for an in-depth look at these five whiskeys and their tasting notes. The Small Batch Up To 5 Years Bourbon Finalists from the 2025 SFWSC 10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirit Company Bourbon, 64.4% ABV, 750 ml. $60 Liberty & Plenty Distillery Bronze Bull Spirits Batch #5 Bourbon Finished in Madeira Barrels, 50% ABV, 750 ml. $70 Kings County Distillery Barrel-Strength Straight Bourbon, 68.8% ABV, 750 ml. $99 Cream of Kentucky Cask Strength Bourbon, 59.8% ABV, $750 ml. $90 1792 Small Batch Straight Bourbon, 46.85% ABV, 750 ml. $32 See The Top Small Batch Bourbon, According To The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, for an in-depth look at these five whiskeys and their tasting notes. The Small Batch 6-10 Years Bourbon finalists from the 2025 SFWSC The Beautiful and The Damned Last Lion Bourbon, 57.1% ABV, 750 ml. $79 Rare Character Batch 02 Straight Bourbon, 60.73% ABV, 750 ml. $85 Kentucky Senator John Brown Bourbon, 53.5% ABV, 750 ml. $150 ASW Distillery Fiddler Encore Bourbon – Georgia Oak, 60.2% ABV, 750 ml. $85 Long Ridge High Rye Bourbon, 58% ABV, 750 ml. $79 The Small Batch 10+ Years Bourbon Finalists from the 2025 SFWSC O.K.I. 15-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 57.5% ABV, 750 ml. $250 Redemption Whiskey 18-Year-Old Bourbon, 51.7% ABV, 750 ML. $400 Widow Jane Lucky 13 Bourbon, 46.5% ABV, 750 ml. $110 See The World's Best Small Batch Aged Bourbons, According to the SF World Spirits Competition, for an in-depth look at these eight whiskeys and their tasting notes. The Single Barrel Bourbon Up To 10 Years finalists from the 2025 SFWSC Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon, 68.2% ABV, 750 ml. $169.99 Blackout Barrel Company Blackout Bourbon, 66% ABV, 750 ml. $80 Safai Bourbon 8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 56% ABV, 750 ml. $275 Hirsch The Single Barrel Double Oak Bourbon, 59% ABV, 750 ml. $150 High Wire Distilling Co. Jimmy Red Single Barrel Bourbon, 58.17% ABV. 750 ml.. $70 See The World's Best Single Barrel Bourbon, According To The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, for an in-depth look at these seven whiskeys and their tasting notes. The Single Barrel 11 Years and Older Bourbon finalists from the 2025 SFWSC O.K.I. 16-Year-Old Kentucky Bourbon Single Barrel, 63.9% ABV, 750 ml. $300 Augusta Distillery Buckner's 15-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon, 59.4% ABV, 750 ml. $300 See The World's Best Single Barrel Bourbon, According To The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, for an in-depth look at these seven whiskeys and their tasting notes. The Special Barrel Finished Bourbon finalists from the 2025 SFWSC Fox & Oden Double Oaked Straight Bourbon, 49.5% ABV, 750 ml. $100 Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Triple Cask Finished, 50% ABV, 750 ml. $100 Whiskey Tree High Rye Bourbon, 50% ABV, 750 ml. $60 Starlight Distillery Japanese Mizunara Reserve Finished Bourbon Whiskey, 56% ABV, 750 ml. $150 Penelope Toasted Bourbon Double Oak, 50% ABV, 750 ml. $59 See The Best Cask Finished Bourbon Crowned By The San Francisco World Spirits Competition for an in-depth look at these five whiskies and their tasting notes. The Wheated Bourbon finalists from the 2025 SFWSC Frank August Case Study: 05, Wheated Reserve, 5 Barrel Batch Bourbon, 52.25% ABV, 750 ml. $125 Maplewood Brewery & Distillery Wheated Bourbon, 56% ABV, 750 ml. $80 Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Traditional Barrel Series Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon, 53.3% ABV, 750 ml. $100 W.L. Weller Antique 107 Straight Wheated Bourbon, 53.6% ABV, 750 ml. $59 W.L. Weller C.Y.P.B. (Craft Your Perfect Bourbon) Straight Wheated Bourbon, 47.5% ABV, 750 ml. $65 See The World's Best Wheated Bourbon, According to the SF World Spirits Competition, for an in-depth view of these whiskeys and their tasting notes. These 35 bourbons represent the best of the best, the pinnacle of American bourbon. One of these finalists will be announced as the World's Best Bourbon at The Top Shelf 2025 Awards Gala, a highly anticipated whiskey industry event, on November 9 at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. If you are a serious bourbon drinker, you owe it to yourself to taste these outstanding bourbons. Your own world's best bourbon is probably among these finalists.
Axios
15-05-2025
- Axios
Your D.C. Weekend: Bourbon & Bluegrass, Greek festival
Get ready for a banjo-pickin', tumbler-swillin' good time: It's the annual Bourbon & Bluegrass festival this weekend. Why it matters: It's the 10th anniversary of what Washington City Paper's called "The Best Music Festival in D.C." Plus: Now that the Kingman Island Bluegrass & Folk Festival is no more, it's a good chance to get your bluegrass fix without leaving the city. State of play: The festival will take place Saturday and Sunday at President Lincoln's Cottage near Petworth. The artist Swamp Dogg will headline the event and play both days. The seminal R&B, funk and soul singer and musician's latest album was named one of the best country albums last year by NPR. The festival coincides with the D.C. showings of " Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted," a documentary about — yep — Swamp Dogg awaiting a custom paint job on his L.A. pool while hanging with celeb pals like Johnny Knoxville. Catch the flick Saturday at Capitol Hill's Miracle Theatre, followed by a Q&A with Mr. Dogg himself, or Sunday at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring. Throughout the weekend, you can also check out performances by acts like Goldbug Revival (a D.C.-based indie folk group that works at the NIH by day) and Hubby Jenkins, formerly of the Rhiannon Giddens band and the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Plus: Join in on a jam session, check out food trucks, play lawn games, take historic tours of the property and sip bourbon (obvi). Know before you go: A one-day adult ticket is $55 ($77 with drinks), and it's $82 for both days ($124 with drinks). Those between ages 7-20 are $39 a ticket ($55 for the weekend), and littles under 6 are free. President Lincoln's Cottage is located at 140 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW. More fun weekend events: 🇬🇷 The annual Saint Sophia Greek Festival runs Friday-Sunday near the Observatory Circle, with live Greek music and folk dancing, a marketplace, kids' games, a taverna with Greek beer and wine, and, of course, all the baklava, spanakopita and gyros your heart desires. (Free admission) 🪞 Head to Berryville, Virginia, for the Luckett's Spring Market Friday through Sunday, with hundreds of vintage vendors selling furniture and garden goods — plus a beer garden, food trucks and live tunes. (Tickets are $23 for general admission, $55 for the early-buyer weekend pass.) 🍜 Fiesta Asia will host its street fair-meets-homage to Asian culture on Saturday in downtown D.C. Come by for a karaoke contest, performances by dancers and martial artists, shopping, a parade, and ramen and sushi cookoff battles. (Free admission)
