Talk about oak in wine, and one might picture rows of barrels, each cask snuggled into the two below. Go on a winery tour, and you’ll march past walls of barrel tops decorated with coopers&#8… ...

The planks impart flavors similar to the way oak barrels do but at less cost and under a more controlled environment.(Scott Anger/For the Chronicle) Scott Anger.

Nuttall oak (Quercus nuttallii) and Shumard oak ... So, as far as deciduous trees go, this one is less likely to burden you with leaf raking in the fall. More to consider.

Why Whiskey Finished in Mizunara Oak Can Go for $1,500. Plus: 3 Great Bottles for Considerably Less Right now, whiskey distillers are crazy for barrels made from a fragrant, finicky Japanese oak ...