We have hickory cabinets - they are *knotty* hickory, though - sounds like you don't want that style? They do go nicely with our tropic brown counters...The guy that installed them commented that the wood is *very* hard - about the hardest wood there is, I guess. Made putting the doors on (screws) very difficult. But the hickory is gorgeous and unique...we got our cabinets from a custom cabinet maker in Monroe, WA.

Most of these cabinets were installed in 1995. The set to the left are from 2010. You can see by comparison that the older ones have yellowed a bit. They are hickory, custom built by a local builder, with a natural finish and are solid as a rock. Please close your eyes to the blue floor and clunky track lights, both of which are slated to be gone. Counter is honed jet mist.

Hickory honestly isn't that different in appearance than oak, unless you're choosing rustic hickory. You might get 97% of what you're looking for by choosing oak, and putting the savings towards something else.

I know it isn't what you asked but have you considered ash?