Feature Photo and Design by Brian Kachejian
Wiley Wallaby licorice has built a reputation as one of the top soft and chewy licorice brands, but not every flavor delivers the same taste and texture. This Wiley Wallaby licorice taste test compares five popular flavors to determine which one stands out as the best.
Candy is one of those things people assume fades with age, but it never really does. The connection to candy runs deep, and licorice might be one of the strongest examples of that. It is one of the oldest candies still widely enjoyed today, with roots going back generations when it was sold from jars and scooped out by hand. For many people, licorice carries that old time feeling, something tied to childhood, something simple that never really went away. Over time, licorice has evolved into a wide range of flavors, shapes, and textures, but the core idea remains the same.
That is what made this taste test fun. Taking a classic candy and lining up different modern flavors to see which ones actually deliver.
Wiley Wallaby is known for its soft and chewy style, offering a different texture compared to the traditional harder licorice many people grew up with. The brand was founded in Australia and later expanded into the United States, where it has built a following for its bold flavors and thicker cuts. Unlike thinner licorice ropes, Wiley Wallaby pieces are larger, softer, and designed for a slower chew, which changes the overall experience.
Black Licorice
We start where it all started, the black licorice. Old school, right out of the gate. You open the bag and that smell hits you, you already know what you’re getting into. Big thick piece, soft, chewy, takes a little work, not something you just chew and forget about. The flavor is solid, real traditional licorice, nothing fake about it. It’s good, no question, but you kind of feel like something might top it once we get into these other flavors.
Final score, 8 out of 10.
Classic Red Licorice
Now this is the one most people grew up on, red licorice. And right away you can tell this isn’t your average cheap stuff. It’s smoother, not overly sweet, almost has that classy feel to it, like a higher end version of what you remember. It’s really good, but for me, it didn’t hit as hard as the black. Still, no complaints, this is a solid piece of licorice.
Final score, 7 out of 10.
Watermelon Licorice
Now we get into the fun stuff. Watermelon. Soon as you open the bag, that smell jumps right at you. First bite, boom, this one hits. Strong flavor, clean, sweet, but not over the top. This is where things changed in this test. You could tell right away this one was going to be a problem for the rest of the lineup. Everything just works here.
Final score, 8.5 out of 10.
Blueberry Pomegranate Licorice
This one’s sneaky. You open it, you see that color, you get that smell, and you’re not totally sure what you’re in for. First bite is a little subtle, but then it builds. You keep chewing and suddenly you’re like, alright, yeah, this is good. It creeps up on you. Not as loud as the watermelon, but there’s something going on here that keeps you interested.
Final score, 8.1 out of 10.
Green Apple Licorice
Green apple is always a gamble. You never know if you’re getting something great or something that just doesn’t land. This one, unfortunately, didn’t land. The flavor feels off compared to the others, doesn’t have that same balance, and it just kind of falls flat. Not terrible, but when you line it up with the rest, it’s clearly at the bottom.
Final score, 5 out of 10.
Final Ranking
- Watermelon Licorice, 8.5 out of 10
- Blueberry Pomegranate Licorice, 8.1 out of 10
- Black Licorice, 8 out of 10
- Classic Red Licorice, 7 out of 10
- Green Apple Licorice, 5 out of 10
Closing Verdict
This taste test shows that while traditional licorice flavors still hold their place, the newer fruit based options can bring something extra when they are done right. Watermelon stood out as the clear winner, delivering the strongest overall flavor and the best balance with the brand’s signature texture.
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 breakdown, including first bite reactions and how each flavor performed in real time, check out the video below.
