Darrell Lea Liquorice Choc Stix Strawberry

At the start of this year, Australian brand Darrell Lea added a new product to their range: Stix. The famous liquorice makers have taken some of their favourite flavours and added a chocolate centre or outer layer. My introduction to the filled type of liquorice was actually through a New Zealand brand, RJ's, and their Raspberry Choc Logs, which we sold at my old job. Since RJs can only be found as imported stock, it's good to see an Aussie brand bringing their own version to the table.

The Stix range features four flavours: milk choc-covered black liquorice, strawberry with white choc, black liquorice with milk choc, mango with white choc, and milk choc-covered raspberry liquorice. The chocolate-covered versions have actually been out for some time; it's the filled versions that have reinvigorated the range. And it's specifically the 50g 'medium bar' size versions that really caught my attention.

The strawberry version is Darrell Lea's classic strawberry licorice, with a 'white choc' centre. The licorice is quite firm, with a translucent dark dark pink colour and a tight twist design. It has a sweet, floral scent that is pleasant and not overpowering. Darrell Lea uses natural colours and flavours in their liquorice, so there's no artificial nasties here.The twin sticks are a decent size, weighing in at 25g each. Once of mine was slightly longer than the other, but they are both about 11cm long and 1.5cm in diameter, and very solid.

Unlike the illustration on the front of the pack, the centre only takes up a small portion of each stick (22%). It's compound chocolate, sweet and pleasant enough with a mild vanilla flavour on its own. With the licorice though, not only does it add a good texture difference, it sweetens the licorice, lifting it from dense liquorice to something better.

I have to admit, I am not a massive fan of liquorice. It tends to get stuck in my teeth and I find the flavours a bit weak. But there's something about this bar that keeps drawing me back. Since this review I've picked it up a couple more times, and enjoyed it every time. I would enjoy it more if it was real chocolate, though.

Score: 4 out of 5 jelly beans.

Darrell Lea Liquorice Choc Stix Strawberry  is made in Australia.  it contains milk, wheat and soy, and may contain traces of peanuts and other nuts.