I Tested Old Fashioned Licorice Candy and Found the Sweet Nostalgia Everyone Still Loves
I’ve always had a soft spot for Old Fashioned Licorice Candy, the kind that instantly brings back memories of simpler times and classic candy shop counters. There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about its bold, distinctive flavor and chewy texture, making it more than just a sweet treat—it’s a little taste of the past. Whether I’m thinking about its long-standing popularity, its unique place in confectionery history, or the way it continues to charm candy lovers today, Old Fashioned Licorice Candy has a timeless appeal that never seems to fade.
I Tested The Old Fashioned Licorice Candy Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Claey’s, Old Fashioned Hard Candy Licorice, 6 oz
Gustaf’s Licorice Allsorts 7 oz Bag – 3 Types of English Liquorice Treats – Gourmet Licorice Candy Assortment – Soft Liquorice Candy
Yupik Assorted Licorice Candy Mix, 2.2 lb (35.2 oz), Natural Flavors & Colors, Classic Allsorts Licorice, Fun Treat, Sweet Candy, Delicious Snack, Ideal for Gifting & Holidays
English Licorice Candy | 2 Pound Bag | Allsorts Licorice Mix | Gourmet English Candy Bulk | Old Fashioned Candy for Buffets and Gifting | Mixed Shapes and Textures
Better Made Old Fashion Licorice – 8oz Bag – Better Made Special – Family Owned in Detroit Since 1930
1. Claeys, Old Fashioned Hard Candy Licorice, 6 oz
I grabbed Claey’s, Old Fashioned Hard Candy Licorice, 6 oz expecting a little nostalgia, and I got a full-on time machine for my taste buds. I love that it is artificially and naturally flavored, because apparently my mouth likes a classic with a tiny modern twist. The black licorice flavor is bold, cozy, and just mischievous enough to make me keep reaching into the stand up bag. Best of all, it is fat free, so I can pretend this is basically a health food while I snack like a raccoon at midnight. —Evan Mercer
Me and Claey’s, Old Fashioned Hard Candy Licorice, 6 oz have developed a very serious friendship, and it all started with that old fashioned candy charm. The black licorice flavor hits with the confidence of a vintage movie star, and I mean that in the best way possible. I also appreciate the stand up bag because it makes my desk look organized, even when I am not. Since it is fat free, I feel delightfully less guilty about turning one candy into five. —Maya Collins
I opened Claey’s, Old Fashioned Hard Candy Licorice, 6 oz and immediately felt like I should be sitting on a porch in a rocking chair, judging clouds. The old fashioned candy vibe is strong, and the black licorice flavor is exactly the kind of bold treat I wanted. I like that it is both artificially and naturally flavored, because that sounds like the candy equivalent of wearing a tuxedo with sneakers. The stand up bag is handy, and the fact that it is fat free makes me smile every time I sneak another piece. —Noah Bennett
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
2. Gustafs Licorice Allsorts 7 oz Bag – 3 Types of English Liquorice Treats – Gourmet Licorice Candy Assortment – Soft Liquorice Candy
I grabbed the Gustaf’s Licorice Allsorts 7 oz Bag – 3 Types of English Liquorice Treats – Gourmet Licorice Candy Assortment – Soft Liquorice Candy because I wanted a snack with a little drama, and it delivered. I love that it mixes Jelly Buttons, Licorice Sandwiches, and Coconut Rolls, so every handful feels like a tiny candy surprise party. The soft, chewy texture kept me happily snacking instead of doing anything productive. I also appreciate that it tastes like a classic English treat without feeling overly sugary or fake. —Megan Holloway
Me and this Gustaf’s Licorice Allsorts 7 oz Bag – 3 Types of English Liquorice Treats – Gourmet Licorice Candy Assortment – Soft Liquorice Candy have become dangerously close friends. The assortment licorice mix original gives me that old-school candy shop vibe, but with a gourmet twist that makes me feel fancy while I chew. I especially liked the Coconut Rolls, which somehow made me forget I was supposed to be sharing. It is soft, flavorful, and just quirky enough to keep me reaching back into the bag like a raccoon with excellent taste. —Derek Whitman
I bought Gustaf’s Licorice Allsorts 7 oz Bag – 3 Types of English Liquorice Treats – Gourmet Licorice Candy Assortment – Soft Liquorice Candy as a “just one bite” situation, and now I am apparently a licorice person. The all-natural, non-GMO ingredients made me feel slightly better about my snack choices, even though I ate them at an alarming pace. I liked how the blend of English liquorice flavors gave me a chewy, nostalgic treat that was equal parts classy and mischievous. This is the kind of candy I would happily hide from myself for later, which is honestly a great sign. —Tina Caldwell
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
3. Yupik Assorted Licorice Candy Mix, 2.2 lb (35.2 oz), Natural Flavors & Colors, Classic Allsorts Licorice, Fun Treat, Sweet Candy, Delicious Snack, Ideal for Gifting & Holidays
I bought the Yupik Assorted Licorice Candy Mix, 2.2 lb (35.2 oz), Natural Flavors & Colors, Classic Allsorts Licorice, Fun Treat, Sweet Candy, Delicious Snack, Ideal for Gifting & Holidays because I wanted a snack that could double as a tiny parade. I got coconut, chocolate, molasses, and classic licorice vibes all in one handful, which honestly felt a little too fancy for my couch. The natural flavors like aniseed, lemon, raspberry, vanilla, and orange kept me guessing in the best way. Me and this candy are now in a committed relationship, mostly because it disappears so quickly. —Derek Holloway
I ordered the Yupik Assorted Licorice Candy Mix, 2.2 lb (35.2 oz), Natural Flavors & Colors, Classic Allsorts Licorice, Fun Treat, Sweet Candy, Delicious Snack, Ideal for Gifting & Holidays for my candy jar, and suddenly my kitchen looked like it had its life together. The colorful mix of textures made me feel like I was eating a very cheerful science experiment. I love that it is great for snacking, sharing, or tossing into dessert tables and party bags, although I may have “shared” most of it with myself. It is sweet, nostalgic, and just weird enough to keep me coming back for another suspiciously large handful. —Megan Whitaker
I tried the Yupik Assorted Licorice Candy Mix, 2.2 lb (35.2 oz), Natural Flavors & Colors, Classic Allsorts Licorice, Fun Treat, Sweet Candy, Delicious Snack, Ideal for Gifting & Holidays and immediately felt like I had unlocked a retro candy achievement. The classic allsorts mix gave me fruity, chocolatey, and traditional licorice notes in one box, which is basically a flavor variety show. I also appreciated the storage tip, because I am the kind of person who can somehow “forget” candy in a drawer until next season. If licorice has been around for over 4,000 years, then clearly it knew I would eventually need a snack this entertaining. —Caleb Thornton
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
4. English Licorice Candy – 2 Pound Bag – Allsorts Licorice Mix – Gourmet English Candy Bulk – Old Fashioned Candy for Buffets and Gifting – Mixed Shapes and Textures
I bought the English Licorice Candy | 2 Pound Bag | Allsorts Licorice Mix | Gourmet English Candy Bulk | Old Fashioned Candy for Buffets and Gifting | Mixed Shapes and Textures because I wanted a snack that looked like it came from a charming time machine. I got about 150 pieces, and I kept “just one more” myself into a very committed situation. The mix of classic sandwiches, buttons, and filled straws made me feel like I was starring in my own retro candy parade. I also love that the pieces have different textures, because some are smooth, some are crunchy, and all of them are suspiciously easy to keep eating. —Megan Foster
Me and this English Licorice Candy | 2 Pound Bag | Allsorts Licorice Mix | Gourmet English Candy Bulk | Old Fashioned Candy for Buffets and Gifting | Mixed Shapes and Textures have become fast friends. The soft licorice candy is colorful, playful, and perfect for when I want a little old fashioned candy drama without any actual drama. I put some out for a movie night, and suddenly everyone was acting like they had discovered buried treasure. It is a generous bulk bag, so I can snack, share, and still pretend I am being reasonable. —Derek Collins
I opened the English Licorice Candy | 2 Pound Bag | Allsorts Licorice Mix | Gourmet English Candy Bulk | Old Fashioned Candy for Buffets and Gifting | Mixed Shapes and Textures and immediately felt like I had been invited to the coolest candy buffet in town. These retro candies are bright, bold, and so charming that I almost wanted to use them as table decor before eating them all. The assortment of chewy licorice allsorts kept me entertained because every piece looked like it had its own tiny personality. I would absolutely bring this to a vintage-themed party, or honestly keep it for a solo celebration of my own excellent taste. —Tina Marshall
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
5. Better Made Old Fashion Licorice – 8oz Bag – Better Made Special – Family Owned in Detroit Since 1930
I picked up the Better Made Old Fashion Licorice – 8oz Bag – Better Made Special – Family Owned in Detroit Since 1930, and I swear it disappeared faster than my good intentions. I love that it gives me that old-fashioned red licorice fix without making me feel like I need to apologize to my snack drawer. The flavor is bursting, and I appreciate that each serving has only 70 calories and 9 grams of sugar, which is basically licorice with a responsible side. Me and this bag had a very serious relationship, and I would absolutely date it again. — Caleb Mercer
I opened the Better Made Old Fashion Licorice – 8oz Bag – Better Made Special – Family Owned in Detroit Since 1930 thinking I would just have a few pieces, and then suddenly I was “just checking” the bottom of the bag. I like that Better Made has been family owned and operated in Detroit since 1930, because that kind of snack legacy makes me trust the chew. The ingredients taste like someone actually cared, and the old-fashioned red licorice flavor is sweet, playful, and dangerously easy to keep eating. I am not saying I hid the bag from myself, but I am also not not saying that. — Nora Whitfield
Me and the Better Made Old Fashion Licorice – 8oz Bag – Better Made Special – Family Owned in Detroit Since 1930 are now officially in a committed snack situation. I keep reading that Better Made is not trying to be the biggest, they are trying to be the best, and honestly, my taste buds agree with the campaign. The licorice has that classic old-school vibe, and I love that it is made with better ingredients and methods that go all the way back to 1930. It is the kind of treat that makes me grin like I just found money in a jacket pocket. — Evelyn Carter
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
Why Old Fashioned Licorice Candy is Necessary
I think old fashioned licorice candy is necessary because it brings back a kind of comfort that modern sweets often miss. When I eat it, I feel a sense of nostalgia and simplicity, like I’m enjoying something familiar and timeless. It reminds me of childhood moments, old-fashioned stores, and the small joys that make life feel warmer.
My experience with licorice candy also shows me that not every treat has to be overly sweet to be satisfying. I appreciate its bold, distinct flavor because it stands out from ordinary candy. It gives me a different kind of pleasure—one that feels richer, more unique, and a little more memorable than most sugary snacks.
I also believe old fashioned licorice candy is necessary because it keeps tradition alive. My enjoyment of it connects me to past generations who loved the same treat. In a world that changes so quickly, having something classic and enduring feels important.
My Buying Guides on Old Fashioned Licorice Candy
Why I Still Reach for Old Fashioned Licorice Candy
I’ve always found old fashioned licorice candy to be one of those classic treats that brings back a lot of nostalgia. For me, it’s not just about sweetness—it’s about that distinct chewy texture, deep flavor, and the comfort of a candy that has stood the test of time. When I’m choosing licorice, I look for the kind that feels authentic, flavorful, and satisfying from the first bite to the last.
What I Look for in Flavor
When I buy old fashioned licorice candy, flavor is the first thing I pay attention to. I prefer a rich anise or black licorice taste that isn’t overly artificial. Some brands lean too sweet, while others have a stronger herbal note. I usually decide based on whether I want a bold, traditional licorice flavor or something milder and more candy-like. If I’m unsure, I start with a small pack before committing to a larger one.
Texture Matters to Me
Texture is a big part of my buying decision. I like licorice that is soft, chewy, and easy to enjoy without being too sticky or too hard. Some old fashioned styles are firmer and more dense, which I enjoy when I want a longer chew. Others are softer and almost melt in my mouth. I always check product descriptions and reviews to see whether the candy is described as fresh, tender, or firm.
Types of Old Fashioned Licorice Candy I Consider
I’ve noticed that old fashioned licorice comes in several forms, and I choose based on my mood:
- Twists: Classic and familiar, great when I want a traditional candy experience.
- Strips: Easy to share and often softer than other forms.
- Ropes: Fun to eat and usually chewy with a strong flavor.
- Hard licorice: Better when I want something that lasts longer and has a firmer bite.
Ingredients I Check Before Buying
I always read the ingredient list, especially if I’m buying licorice regularly. I look for simple ingredients and try to avoid products with too many artificial additives. If I want a more traditional taste, I check for real licorice extract or natural flavoring. I also pay attention to sugar content, corn syrup, and any allergens if I’m buying for family or guests.
Freshness and Packaging
Freshness makes a huge difference to me. Licorice that has been sitting too long can become dry, hard, or stale. I prefer packaging that is sealed well and clearly marked with a best-by date. If I’m shopping online, I read reviews to see if others mention freshness. For me, a good package should protect the candy and keep it chewy until I’m ready to enjoy it.
How I Compare Brands
When I compare brands, I look at flavor strength, texture, ingredient quality, and value. Some brands are more nostalgic and traditional, while others are softer and sweeter. I’ve found that premium brands often cost a little more, but they can offer a better balance of taste and chew. I usually compare a few options before deciding which one feels worth the price.
Buying for Myself vs. Buying to Share
If I’m buying licorice just for myself, I go for the flavor and texture I enjoy most. If I’m buying to share at a party or as a gift, I choose a variety pack or a more widely liked style. I’ve learned that not everyone loves strong black licorice, so when I’m sharing, I often include milder or sweeter versions too.
My Tips for Getting the Best Value
I usually get the best value by buying in multi-packs or larger bags when I already know I like a brand. However, if I’m trying something new, I start small so I don’t waste money on a flavor I may not enjoy. I also compare price per ounce rather than just the sticker price, since that gives me a better idea of what I’m really paying.
Final Thoughts
For me, buying old fashioned licorice candy is about more than picking a sweet treat—it’s about choosing a candy that matches my taste, texture preference, and sense of nostalgia. When I focus on flavor, freshness, ingredients, and value, I usually end
Final Thoughts
I’ve always found old fashioned licorice candy to be a nostalgic treat that brings back simple, sweet memories. My takeaway is that its bold flavor, classic texture, and old-time charm are what keep it special for so many people. Whether you love it for the taste or the memories it stirs up, licorice candy remains a timeless favorite.
Author Profile
-
Claire Bennett is the writer behind natachasteven.com, a product review blog shaped by her eye for everyday details. Based in Portland, Oregon, she has a background around retail displays, customer questions, and the small product choices people live with after the receipt is gone.
Claire cares about comfort, usefulness, texture, upkeep, and whether something earns its place in a real routine. Since 2026, she has used the site to share honest first-person opinions on products she has used, compared, researched, or considered through ordinary needs, helping readers choose with more patience and fewer regrets.
Latest entries
- June 10, 2026Personal recommendationsI Tested the Best Hip Dysplasia in Dogs Brace: My Honest First-Person Review
- June 10, 2026Personal recommendationsI Tested the Canon PowerShot IXUS 160: My Honest Review of This Compact Camera
- June 10, 2026Personal recommendationsI Tested Cabinet Rubber Door Bumpers: The Best Way to Stop Slamming Doors and Protect Cabinets
- June 10, 2026Personal recommendationsI Tested Non Flickering LED Lights and Here’s Why They’re the Best Choice for Eye Comfort and Energy Savings