As Old Whaling Co. continues to grow and evolve, we’re proud to reflect on the milestones that have shaped our journey, past and present. From our earliest features to the exciting press coverage we've received throughout the past few years, each story highlights the heart of our mission: creating thoughtfully crafted, coastal-inspired products that bring comfort and care to everyday life. Join us as we share the latest presses and revisit some of our most memorable press moments to celebrate the continued support from our amazing community.
In 2023, we collaborated with Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club for the first time! Her book club has been spotlighting compelling, women-centered stories since its launch in 2017. Each month, Reese selects a book featuring a woman at the heart of the narrative, fostering a community of readers who celebrate diverse voices and experiences. Our Seaberry body butter was a highlight during the month of April in 2023, alongside the book Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld. The playful, sweet scent of Seaberry paired perfectly with this comedic love story!
In 2024, we were fortunate enough to have our second collaboration with Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club! The Gift of Reading gift box release was to celebrate the milestone of the book club’s 100th book pick, filled with exclusive goodies, self-care must-haves (our Seaside Citrine bath bomb!!), and a top-rated reading choice, City of Night Birds. Our Seaside Citrine bath bomb stood out as a popular pick among book lovers!
US News
Gifting doesn’t have to be expensive, especially with our cherished bath and body items! In May 2024, US News named our shower steamers as a top pick for an affordable gift for bridal parties. They were considered US News’ “favorite version, thanks to scents that are powerful but not overwhelming. Ocean lovers will especially enjoy the sea salt and coastal calm varieties, as they make a shower feel like a beach getaway.” Gift our Seaweed & Sea Salt or Coastal Calm shower steamers to your bridal party to give them a spa experience inspired by the sea!
Southern Living
We’re thrilled that Southern Living named our Magnolia candle one of “The Best Summer Candles Inspired By Southern Destinations” in July 2024, a true honor that speaks to the heart of our brand. This recognition highlights the importance of celebrating the distinct, nostalgic scents of the South. With its soft floral notes and timeless Southern charm, our Magnolia candle captures the essence of warm summer evenings, blooming gardens, and the relaxed elegance of the region we call home. We're proud to represent Charleston through scent, bringing a little piece of the Southern coast into homes near and far!
InStyle Magazine
InStyle’s online publication highlighted our bath bombs in March of 2025 for “prioritizing skin AND aesthetics.” InStyle editors tested and tried products from all over the world, and concluded our bath bombs were among some of the best! Our bath bombs were recognized for delivering a luxurious, relaxing soak with skin-loving ingredients and scents.
Inscriber Magazine
Recently in April 2025, The Inscriber Magazine ranked us among their top five retail soap shops in the United States. They described our shop as “a perfect fit for those seeking an easygoing, feel-good body care experience with “clean, nautical branding and soothing aromas.” From our handcrafted bath and body products to our thoughtfully curated gifts, every detail in our flagship King Street store and Charleston City Market shop is designed to offer comfort, quality, and a sense of home. This national recognition reflects the heart of our mission - to bring gentle, sea-inspired self-care to locals and visitors alike.
Our First Tides: Milestones and Media from the Early Days
In our first ten years of business, we were honored to be featured in a variety of press mentions that helped shape who we are today. These features introduced our handmade products to new audiences, but also encouraged us to stay grounded in our mission: crafting gentle, affordable self-care essentials that bring joy to everyday routines. Looking back, we’re so grateful for every publication that has helped tell our story and supported our growth along the way.
The Oprah Magazine
We were honored to be featured by Oprah in 2018 among her choices of “13 All-American Summer Must Haves,” a moment that put our bestselling body butter in the national spotlight and marked a major milestone for our company. Our five count bundle of body butters in our most popular scents, Oatmeal Milk & Honey, French Lavender, Seaweed & Sea Salt, Seaberry, and Coastal Calm, was featured for the long lasting texture and non-greasy formula all bundled in an affordable way for you to try them all. Oprah’s stamp of approval brought widespread attention to our small-batch, handcrafted approach and helped introduce us to a whole new wave of customers who now consider it a daily essential. It’s a recognition we’re proud of, and one that continues to inspire everything we create!
Magnolia Journal
During the summer of 2019, our Castile Fragrance Free bar soap (now “Knot Scented”) was a favorite of Johanna Gaines, who created the home and lifestyle publication Magnolia Journal. Our coconut, olive, and soybean oil bar soaps are incredible head to toe, and Joanna seems to agree! This specific bar soap contains goat milk for an extra gentle cleanse. Take a look above at our bar soap in her “Summer Favorites” gift guide! Our Fragrance Free collection is now known as our “Knot-Scented” collection, featuring refreshed packaging by local Charleston artist Blakely Little. We still use the same gentle, moisturizing ingredients in our “Knot Scented” bar soap!
Martha Stewart
Being featured by Martha Stewart in the fall of 2019 as a top pick for unique hostess gifts was an exciting moment for our team. Our handcrafted soaps and bestselling body butters were highlighted for their colorful, aesthetic packaging and irresistible coastal scents, making them the perfect gift for any friend or neighbor. We love knowing our products are helping make gatherings a little more special, one thoughtful gift at a time!
Forbes Magazine
Forbes Magazine highlighted our bath bombs in April of 2022 as a thoughtful way to show appreciation to teachers. A gentle, relaxing self-care moment is well-deserved after pouring so much effort into their students every day. Forbes said our bath bomb bundle “comes in fun boxes that will look great tossed into a gift bag or tied up with a bow.” Our bath bombs, made with nourishing ingredients and soothing scents, not only look beautiful, but are the perfect way to help teachers unwind after long days in the classroom. Recognition from Forbes reinforces our mission to create accessible products that make great self-care gifts for anyone in your life.
Anchored in Appreciation
Over the years, being featured in a wide range of press outlets has played a meaningful role in the growth of our company. Each mention, whether in a national magazine or a local publication, has helped increase our brand awareness, connect us with new customers across the country, and open doors for expansion in ways we never imagined. We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support and recognition, and we remain committed to crafting gentle, coastal-inspired products that continue to bring comfort, joy, and care.
