I think Crown has a great taste, I also like many other whiskies and will try any offered to me, but Crown, and I've had all the current versions of it, is my favorite. XR is very good and to answer the question that started this yes, buy even if only as an investment, because an unopened bottle of XR is gonna keep shootin up in value. See how I did that? I answered the question of the original post and also gave my opinion without sounding like a snoody prick who thinks they have remarkable taste, and you dont... some people