I’ve actually read that that banana flavoring derives from the variety of banana that went nearly extinct back in the 50s(?) or so. When I get on my time machine and check, I’ll let you know.
Would that be the Gros Michel? Perhaps the one someone wrote that song about (Yes, We Have No Bananas)?
They probably mean benzaldehyde, which although it might have a faint almond taste*, it has an overwhelming “cherry” odor. One of my co-workers refers to it as eau de French hooker. From what I understand from producers of benzaldehyde, it is used as a food additive more for its odor than for its taste components.
- I’m allergic to both almonds and cherries, so can’t say. Also, I use it at a chemical plant, where it’s not a good idea to be tasting the chemicals, anyway.
There’s an ice cream place near where I live that has many fruit toppings available; among them are sweet cherries and tart cherries. They taste pretty different but both are delicious.
Artificial cherry flavor is not my favorite either. But I like maraschino cherries, despite they taste like fruit-textured sugar.
I’ll bet I know the one you’re thinking of. It came in a flat bar and if it was cold you could slap it and break it into many pieces?
Yes, the banana ones were good.
I don’t think they had a cherry flavored one but there was a strawberry one that tasted. . .pink.
Bonnomo’s Turkish Taffy came in banana, vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate. Unfortunately no longer available. 
Someone started making it again - here is their web site. I don’t know how it compares to the original.