Nice work !
Don't know if you did your barrels yet, but here is a thought
30 years ago, I wanted to make a scale Water Pail in Oak to go with my Fortress Cannon
The pail is only 1-1/4" in diameter, but looks good (IMHO) as seen below
You start by slicing all kinds of fine oak (maybe stain ?) and laminating them together as seen in the bottom of the pail
Purposely change grain direction , and when the glue is dry, chuck it in the lathe and turn the wood into round stock
Then flip in the lathe and turn the OD and then bore the ID as needed .
Result is a Oak Pail in my case with staves
Rich