XR is expensive due to rarity rather than quality. Most tastings rate the CR Special Reserve as better than the XR (at 1/3 of the XR price); however XR is much rarer as it is the last batch of whisky from the Waterloo distillery (which burned down in 1993 -- so there will never be any more made). Whether there is a difference between Gimli and Waterloo is a different question. I am quite happy to pay through the nose for special cognacs such as Paradis, but XR seems to be a waste of money. The SR is just as good if not better.