BLACKLICK TOWNSHIP -- The first legal distillery in Cambria County is opening its doors next weekend.
There are several distilleries throughout the region, including in Somerset and Indiana counties, but a father-son team is leading the way in Blacklick Township.
Michael Cocho along with his son Michael Cocho II, is bringing new industry to Cambria County through the Moonshine Mine Distillery.
"We're making moonshine. We're making it 100 proof, 120 proof," Cocho said.
They're making rum, vodka, grain alcohol and just about any flavor liqueur.
"We're open to suggestions. We can make just about anything,” Cocho said. “If someone says they want it, we can probably make it."
For the last 18 months, the father-son duo has filled out the paperwork and started making these spirits, but the family'shistory in this business goes back more than a century.
"That was my grandmother's still right there,” Cocho said, pointing to the top shelf. “Not that she made any, but that was hers."
The difference now is the Cocho family moonshine doesn't have to be a secret.
In fact, Cocho's goal for the business is to be "Bigger than Jack Daniels,” Cocho said. “Now it might not happen in my lifetime," he says, but he hopes his family will carry on the legacy.
"We've got room to grow. We want to grow,” Cocho said. “We want to employ people and we want to expand. We want to make sure that we take care of the people that take care of us."
Cocho says people from other countries are interested in his products.
"We've been getting hits from Spain. We've been getting hits from Denmark, actually down into Mexico too," Cocho said.
He says for now they'll probably make a batch a day, about 10 to 15 gallons.
"Hopefully next year we'll have another 50 products out here that we're making," Cocho said.
As a limited distillery, they can make up to 100,000 gallons, and Cocho sees that happening.
"It's in our blood, so we're going to see if we can carry it through,” Cochos said. “And there's no reason you can't make it a multimillion-dollar business."
There will be a ribbon-cutting this Saturday and the first official day of business will be Sunday, March 25.
Cocho says at their storefront on Cardiff Road, customers will be able to taste the liquor before they buy it.
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