Indeed Geoff! One should not underestimate the importance of using the right kind of wood, and, I surmise, the right barrel making techniques (not joking, since traditional barrels making involves curve-folding the boards over a wood fire, hence whatr particular wood's used for it should matter)... one could also add the water that's used to make the scotch, which has, if you believe what they say, unique properties and can only be obtained at a special place.