any of ya folk use those flavouring cheats ?

[Oom Boom]

I had a credit with a distiller supply shop and took some Whisky and rum flavouring as part payment. I had seen the top shelf on You tube and was curious. While the end mixed product was totally drinkable, it was not something you would 'wow!" about. I added a pod of vanilla, some charred Oak and some cinnamon stick to the rum end result for 3 days and suddenly every taster wanted to buy a bottle. The whisky was the same story, but I added a charred oak stake for a few days and then a tiny amount of sugar. A week later it was a different species and so much nicer. Do any of you guys play with the mix a drink kinda cheat flavourings ?

Side note, I have my second rum and first whisky from scratch ageing at present, both were ok at birth date, hoping to surprise self in a months time.