Hirundine 12 year old Speyside Single Malt

Hirundine, a 12-year-old Speyside Single Malt Scotch whisky.  This isn’t just about whisky; it’s a tribute to the craftsmanship and rich traditions of Scotland that inspire us daily.

Crafted with passion and care, this whisky embodies warmth and depth in every drop.

Developed by Against the Grain an independent whisky brand by Pierre Schoeman & Duhan van der Merwe, both current Edinburgh and Scotland rugby players.

Hirundine whisky takes its name from a group of migratory birds that make the long journey between South Africa and Scotland—just like we did. Starting from our roots in South Africa, we followed our passion to Scotland, driven by a shared love for whisky and the adventure of crafting something new. The path hasn’t always been straightforward, but going against the grain has shaped who we are and what Hirundine stands for. Every bottle tells a piece of our story, carrying the spirit of resilience and the thrill of the journey in every sip.

Earlier this year Schoeman and Edinburgh and Scotland team-mate Duhan van der Merwe, who have known each other for a decade, launched their own whisky brand, ‘Against the Grain’.

“It was actually my wife who had the idea of the name,” Schoeman explained. “I wanted to use it for maybe a book after rugby, as a biography or something, but then I spoke to Duhan and asked if he wanted to join this idea. He said he loved the proposal and he was on board.

“It just suits both our stories: going against the grain from South Africa to Scotland and Edinburgh and embracing it. And we wanted to give something back to our friends, family and fans to enjoy while we are playing and long after we are playing.”

Schoeman says their business project has been a success so far, with the first two limited releases selling out and their next – a 12-year-old malt whisky – Hirundine.