That is true in some cases now but not in the 'olden' days. Scotch whiskey (or whisky) has been around a lot longer than either American bourbon, America or even the new world colonies. Originally used sherry casks were used to age Scotch, and still are to this day although not exclusively as you point out.
As the story goes, the Scots people claim that St. Patrick actually taught them how to make whiskey, not the Irish, and they have been making it correctly ever since.
Brian
You boys go ahead & enjoy your scotch...... Did you know they use USED bourbon barrels to make scotch? That right there tells me that scotch is second fiddle to bourbon! Oh, & I'll take my bourbon on ice w/ nothing else!