White Oak
Disapproving of black, tho' next in order to white oak staves for all
the vessels about the distillery ... as being the most durable of close
texture, easily sweetened ... and hard to be penetrated by acids of any
kind, tho' sometimes the best white oak hogsheads may sour, but two or
three scaldings will render them perfectly sweet ... if white oak cannot
be had, black oak being of the next best in quality may be used ... and
again I enter my protest against pine, chesnut, poplar, and every kind
of soft porus wood.
If possible, or if at all convenient, have the vessels iron bound and
painted, to prevent worms and the weather from injuring them, using one
good wood hoop on the bottom to save the chine.