Last updated 3 weeks ago | Originally Published: April 1, 2025
First and foremost, I love licorice, and I’ve been in the candy business for nearly a decade! As for being an expert on candy, I suppose we’re all experts in some way or another, especially if you have a love for candy and a few years of experience eating it.
However, I work in a candy store and write candy content for a living, so in many ways, candy plays a major role in my life, which is pretty sweet if you ask me! I get to try all the latest products, flavors, and brands, including licorice, which is one of my favorite types of candy!
That said, I’d like to add in advance that my rankings are based on my experiences only; therefore, they’re only opinions, and hold no weight in terms of being factual, although my opinions are honest. The trust is, we all have different taste buds and opinions, so nobody will agree with these ranking entirely.
Knowing this, my goal isn’t to say what is the best and what’s not, it’s about brand and product discovery! If I don’t like something, I won’t knock it, instead, I’ll let you know I wasn’t feeling it, and why, but then I’d encourage you to try it, reminding you that just because I didn’t like it doesn’t mean you won’t love it, which is usually how it works!
On that note, I’d like to invite everyone reading my top picks to set the record straight by letting me know yours in the comments below; at least your #1 favorite! For your contribution, I’ll email you a special promo code that’ll save you 10% on an entire order here at Candy Retailer! All you have to do is represent the best licorice ever made, according to you!
Strawberry Twizzlers
For as long as I can remember, which begins somewhere in the early ‘80s, I’ve always loved Strawberry Twizzlers! I don’t care so much for black licorice, although I don’t dislike it, but given I have a choice, I’m going with anything except black licorice! However, when it comes to strawberry, I’m all over it. Who else agrees with me? I know some of you will surely object, so we want to hear from you, too! I also like Twizzlers Strawberry Mini, which are filled with soft watermelon or lemonade candy filling! They’re amazing!
Red Vines Original Red
Being from the Midwest, you either love Twizzlers or Red Vines, but for me, I love them both! However, Twizzlers was my first love, as Red Vines didn’t win my heart until later on in life. Nonetheless, I enjoy Original Red licorice just as much as I do Twizzlers, so choosing between them just depends on what brand catches my attention first. Unless I’m after Twizzlers filled candy, then there’s nothing Red Vines can do to stop me! Overall, this is the second-best-selling licorice brand sold in the US, so I ranked it fairly. Who agrees?
Kenny’s Blue Raspberry Licorice Twists
Kenny’s is, without a doubt, my third favorite licorice brand of all time! I’ve tried all flavors, but my favorites are blue raspberry, cherry, and green apple! They also have jumbo-sized licorice, which is what I like, but they also have other sizes, including standard-size and bites! In my opinion, Kenny’s is like a premium licorice candy brand, if there’s even such a thing, but if there is, this brand would be one of them for sure! You can buy it here at Candy Retailer in 8oz and 1lb bags, making it perfect for parties, events, and monthly snacking! Click below to see all options and pick up some Kenny’s Licorice today; you’ll be glad you did.
Broadway Sour Rainbow Licorice Bites
I don’t know about you guys, but I love Broadway Sour Rainbow Licorice Bites! I think they might be a little hard to find for a lot of people around the country, but if you’ve been searching for them or never tried them before, either way, Candy Retailer is where you’ll find them, which is also where I discovered them. As for taste and texture, they’re fruity, chewy, sanded, and are filled with sweet, soft candy filling! If you score yours here at our candy store, then you’ll be able to scoop it by the pound and have it delivered straight to your home!
Gerrits Strawberry Licorice Wheels
If I had to say one thing about Gerrit’s Strawberry Licorice Wheels, it’s that it never disappoints. This is also one of my favorite low-key candy brands that I truly appreciate and respect. Known for many types of candy, including several different licorice flavors and sizes, Gerrits will always find a way to surprise you! From Satellite Wafers to Licorice Bites, this brand literally has it all, including some classics you probably forgot about. To learn more about Gerrits, including its candy product line, click below and go wild. You deserve it.
Jelly Belly Strawberry Licorice Scottie Dogs
If you’ve never had Jelly Belly Strawberry Licorice Scottie Dogs, you’re missing out on something amazing! Most folks who eat licorice know about it; however, not everyone knows, so if that’s you, pick up a bag today and experience licorice Jelly Belly style! They come in two flavors, strawberry (my favorite) and black. You can get both in a 1lb or 6oz bag, your choice! If you want my opinion, I’d go for the 6oz bag if you’ve never had them before, but for those who know, you’ll really appreciate or bulk-size bags! Click below to see today’s prices here at Candy Retailer.
Darrell Lea Strawberry Licorice
If you appreciate authentic Australian licorice, then you’re really going to like Darrell Lea Licorice, especially strawberry, if that’s your thing! This brand offers several flavors, including black, mango, raspberry, mixed fruit, and all sorts, to name a few! This is also one of the most sought-after licorice brands worldwide, so no list of the best licorice would be complete or accurate without Darrell Lea in the lineup! I like this brand, although I rarely reach for it because I already have my favorites, but to know if it’s the one for you, the only way to find out is to give it a try! For those who already know, nothing else needs to be said.
Wiley Wallaby Original Red Licorice
Wiley Wallaby is another popular, highly sought-after Australian licorice brand loved by millions of people worldwide! You can also score this licorice in many flavors, such as original fruits, lemonade, original red, blueberry pomegranate, huckleberry, very berry, hot cinnamon, green apple, classic black, and allsorts! Based on my experience and knowledge, no other licorice brand produces more flavors than Wiley Wallaby! I haven’t tried them all, but I’ve had a few, and Original Red is definitely my favorite flavor. Like Darell Lea, I like this brand, but I already have my favorites, so I enjoy it as much as maybe you will.
Gustaf’s Licorice Allsorts
If you love black licorice, then chances are you love Gustaf’s Candy! Now, I’m not a huge fan of the flavor, so this brand’s licorice doesn’t appeal to me that much; however, I’m a huge fan of Gustaf’s candy! So, if you’re a fan of black licorice, then you have to check out what this brand has made with you in mind. According to our data here at Candy Retailer, the brand Dutch Licorice and Allsorts is the best seller! I’ve had the Allsorts a few times, it’s pretty good stuff. If you’re not a fan of this licorice flavor, I still recommend checking out Gustaf’s candy by clicking below! I promise, you won’t leave empty-handed.
What’s the Best Licorice According To You?
As we mentioned early on in the article, we value opinions here at Candy Retailer, especially mine! I write about candy and eat it every day, so I really appreciate hearing what others have to say! I understand that not everyone will agree, but we’re all about discovery, learning, and sharing experiences! As a benefit to all, your favorite licorice brands and flavors can inspire other licorice fans to try something new, which just goes to show the power of word-of-mouth recommendations! Also, as promised, I’ll send anyone who responds with the best licorice a 10% discount code that you can use on your entire order here at Candy Retailer! That said, thanks for reading. I’ll be looking forward to your response!
I really appreciate your approach to ranking licorice—focusing on discovery rather than just declaring a ‘best’ choice. Taste is so subjective, and what one person dislikes might be someone else’s favorite! Have you noticedLicorice Blog Comment Creation any trends in licorice flavors over the years, or does classic black licorice still dominate?
I love how you emphasized that taste is subjective and that everyone’s preferences vary! It’s refreshing to see a candy expert encourage trying new things, even if they’re not your personal favorites. I think that’s the best way to discover hidden gems!
It’s great that you’re highlighting the importance of personal taste in candy rankings. I totally agree—everyone’s got their own preferences when it comes to flavors. I love how you encourage people to explore even if something doesn’t work for you!
Love that your goal is discovery rather than debate. That mindset really opens the door for people to try new flavors without feeling like they’re ‘wrong’ for liking something different.
Your approach of sharing personal favorites while encouraging readers to explore is such a refreshing take. Too often, ‘best of’ lists forget that taste is totally subjective, so I really appreciated the honest, open-minded vibe of this post.
Love how you emphasize that candy taste is so personal—it’s refreshing to see rankings presented as a starting point rather than the final word. Makes the whole list feel more like an invitation to explore than a set of rules.