George Bassett founded his confectionery company in Sheffield, England in 1842 and began making sweets.  Bassett's Licorice Allsorts were created by accident in 1899 when a salesman for the company, Charlie Thompson, visited a wholesaler with a sample of licorice and cream paste specialties - chips, rocks, buttons, nuggets, plugs and twists.

Each item was offered to the wholesaler and in turn was refused. The salesman clumsily gathered his samples boxes together, knocking them over and spilling the colorful sweets on the counter. The wholesaler saw more attraction in the 'mixed' sweets and placed an order. The salesman named them Licorice Allsorts.

Created in 1929 from various Licorice Assorts, the company mascot was affectionately named "Bertie."  He has changed a bit over the years but has become the friendly face of Bassett's throughout the world.  In 1987, a unique "Bertie" Allsort was created and included in the mix.  Bassett's was acquired by Cadbury Schweppes in 1989.

If you like licorice and are not familiar with Allsorts, they are wonderfully chewy, some are have a slight coconut flavor, and a molasses flavor hints through.