Feature Photo and design by Brian Kachejian
Red licorice has been one of the most recognizable candies for generations, but once you put the biggest brands side by side, it becomes clear that not all red licorice is created equal.
There is something about red licorice that never fades. It has been around for well over a century in different forms, evolving from early European licorice candies into the soft, sweet, fruit-flavored versions most people know today. Walk into a movie theater, a convenience store, or even a ballpark, and there is a good chance red licorice is sitting right there on the shelf.
Among the biggest names in the category are Twizzlers, Red Vines, and Wiley Wallaby, each bringing a different approach to the same classic candy. Twizzlers, produced by The Hershey Company, have been a staple since the 1960s and are one of the most widely distributed licorice products in the United States. Red Vines date back even further, introduced by American Licorice Company in the early twentieth century, making them one of the original red licorice brands. Wiley Wallaby is a newer player, founded in Australia and later expanding into the United States, known for its thicker, softer, more modern take on licorice.
So with three very different brands, it was time to line them up and find out which one actually delivers.
Twizzlers
Starting with Twizzlers, this is the one almost everyone knows. You open the package, and it is instantly familiar. That classic look, that smell, and that chewy texture people have been eating for decades.
First bite, it is exactly what you expect. Firm, chewy, and consistent. The flavor is solid, not overpowering, but recognizable. It is not trying to be anything fancy; it just does what it has always done.
It holds up, but once you compare it directly, you start to wonder whether it can really keep up with something newer.
Final score, 7 out of 10.
If you’re into chewy candy, our Wiley Wallaby licorice rankings take this even further.
Red Vines
Then came Red Vines, and this is where things took a turn.
Right away, something felt off. The smell had a strange mix to it, part of it seemed okay, and part of it just did not sit right. That hesitation carried right into the first bite.
The flavor did not work. There was something artificial and unbalanced about it, and instead of getting better, it got worse the more you tried to figure it out. This is one of those where you do not even think about a second bite.
It just did not deliver at all.
Final score, 0 out of 10.
Wiley Wallaby
Then came Wiley Wallaby, and this is where everything changed.
You pick it up, and right away you notice the difference. Thicker, softer, a completely different feel compared to the others. Then you take a bite.
And that is it.
The texture is smooth and easy to chew, and the flavor comes through clean and strong. It feels like a higher quality version of what red licorice is supposed to be. When you go back to the others after this, it is not even a close comparison.
This one completely takes over the test.
Final score, 10 out of 10.
Final Ranking
- Wiley Wallaby, 10 out of 10
- Twizzlers, 7 out of 10
- Red Vines, 0 out of 10
Closing Verdict
This was not the close battle you might expect when you line up three well-known brands.
Twizzlers held its ground as a familiar classic, but Wiley Wallaby came in and completely changed the conversation with a better texture and stronger flavor. Red Vines never found its footing in this test and fell out of the competition early.
If you are looking for the best red licorice, this one made the answer very clear.
If you want to see how other candies stack up, check out our Best Candy Taste Tests and Rankings for more honest comparisons.
Watch The Full Taste Test
To see the full reactions and how quickly this one turned, check out the video below.
