Two premium bourbon brands were announced today.

Heaven Hill Distilleries announced the March release of a special bottling of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. And, Castle Brands is introducing Jefferson’s Presidential Select 21 Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

According to a press release, the new Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Small Batch Release ships in mid-March to retailers and on-premise nationwide.  At $39.99, the 12-year-old, barrel proof bourbon will be non-chilled filtered. This allows the esters from the barrel to come through in the taste. Many bourbons are chilled filtered, because everyday consumers tend to freak out when the non-chilled-filtered whiskey clouds up when ice hits. But, you pick up some beautiful oils when the whiskey is non-chilled filtered.

According to a press release, Jefferson’s Presidential Select 21-Year-Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey is aged in new oak barrels for 21 to 24 years and bottled at 94 proof.  It will sell for $119.99 for a 750ml bottle. If you think that’s expensive, please keep in mind that 60 percent of a bourbon’s cost is tax. Kentucky bourbon whiskey is taxed seven times before it’s bottled. Plus, Jefferson’s does not own its own distillery, so they’re forced to mark up whiskey stocks purchased at wholesale to make a profit.

Still, although I’ve not tasted the Jefferson’s 21-year-old, most bourbons this old are usually expensive. If you want them cheaper, write your Congressman about the excise taxes.