Eight at the Fort Black Tea

Eight distinctive teas brought together in one harmonious blend—medium-bodied and balanced, with silver tips, gentle astringency, and subtle smoky undertones.

The Experience

Eight at the Fort Black Tea is a tea with an unusually diplomatic beginning. This signature blend combines eight carefully selected teas, including black, oolong, and white teas from India and Taiwan. Silver tips appear throughout the leaves, while the different tea styles contribute their individual characteristics to a cup designed around balance rather than dominance.

The result is remarkably composed. Black tea provides structure and depth. Oolong introduces another layer of complexity, while delicate white tea and silver tips soften the blend. Mild astringency gives the cup definition, followed by subtle smoky undertones that add depth without overwhelming the more nuanced teas.

No fruit, spices, flowers, or flavorings are added. Its complexity comes entirely from the teas themselves. But what makes Eight at the Fort especially memorable is why those eight teas were brought together in the first place.

Tasting Notes

Top: Refined tea aromatics
Mid: Gentle toast • Subtle smokiness
Finish: Clean • Mild astringency • Lingering complexity
Body: Medium

Why You’ll Love It

• A distinctive Churchill's purist blend combining eight teas
• Black, oolong, and white teas create unusual complexity
• Beautiful silver tips add delicacy to the leaf
• Medium-bodied and balanced rather than aggressively strong
• Subtle smoky undertones provide depth
• No added flavors—the character comes entirely from the tea leaves
• Originally created for a remarkable moment in international history
• An intriguing choice for experienced tea drinkers who enjoy exploring beyond single-origin teas

Origin & Ingredients

Tea Type: Purist Multi-Tea Blend
Tea Styles: Black Tea • Oolong Tea • White Tea
Origins: India & Taiwan
Ingredients: Black tea, oolong tea, white tea
Caffeine: Yes
Body: Medium

How to Brew

• 1 teaspoon per 8 oz water
• 212°F water
• Steep 4–5 minutes

We recommend enjoying Eight at the Fort without milk or sweetener for your first cup. Its appeal lies in noticing how the different teas interact and how its gentle smoky character emerges through the finish.

Perfect For

Tea connoisseurs, history enthusiasts, purist tea drinkers, thoughtful gifts, conversation over tea, or anyone intrigued by a blend created to commemorate an extraordinary gathering.

Eight Teas for Eight World Leaders

The story behind Eight at the Fort begins in June 1997, when President Bill Clinton hosted the Group of Eight summit in Denver. As part of the gathering, world leaders attended a dinner at The Fort, a restaurant located in the mountains above Denver. A special tea was commissioned for the occasion.

The concept behind the blend was wonderfully appropriate: eight carefully chosen teas brought together for a gathering of eight world leaders. 

Rather than selecting eight teas that tasted alike, the blend was created so that different teas could contribute their individual characteristics while still working together as a harmonious whole. Black tea, Oolong tea, White tea, Silver tips, different leaves and traditions, were deliberately brought together in a single cup.The original description expressed the hope that these eight special teas might combine together “in the hope of a better future.”

Nearly three decades later, the blend remains part of our collection—and its story gives the tea an unusual significance beyond flavor alone. It is a tea created around an idea: Individual character doesn't have to disappear for different voices to work in harmony.

Packaging: Our loose teas are sold by the ounce and packaged in food-grade resealable bags.

Explore Our Historical & Story-Rich Black Teas

Some teas tell the story of where they were grown. Others became connected to remarkable moments, people, and traditions. These selections offer history alongside the cup.

Eight at the Fort Black Tea (This Tea)
Balanced • Subtly smoky • Complex
→ Best for: history enthusiasts and purist tea drinkers interested in an unusual eight-tea blend created for the 1997 Group of Eight gathering

Christmas Carol in London Black Tea
Cocoa • Warm toast • Full-bodied
→ Best for: those drawn to a robust purist blend with a distinctly British-inspired story

Duchess Breakfast Black Tea
Silky malt • Gentle earthiness • Toasted warmth
→ Best for: exploring a historic Panyang-style Chinese black tea with refined breakfast strength

Golden Monkey Imperial Black Tea
Golden tips • Malty sweetness • Rich & smooth
→ Best for: those interested in an elegant premium Chinese black tea emphasizing naturally sweet, tippy leaf character