(CNN) -- The first thing offered to me at Suntory's Yamazaki whiskey distillery -- the birthplace of Japanese whiskey -- is a glass of water. It's so delicious it comes as a shock. Even before the reason is explained to me, I'm asking: why does it taste so crisp, so different? The distillery is surrounded by beautiful bamboo forests on a mountain -- they must be getting to my brain. It turns out the water in the area is the reason the first whiskeys in Japan were distilled here. "The distillery was built here almost 100 years ago for the legendary water," says Makoto Sumita, who's been with Suntory for 20 years, as we walk past a pond to the tasting room.
@highlight
Japanese whiskeys are being judged among the best in the world
@highlight
A Japanese whiskey pilgrimage starts at Suntory's Yamazaki Distillery
@highlight
Nikka's main distillery is in a stone fortress in Yoichi, Hokkaido
@highlight
At both distilleries, visitors can buy rare whiskeys only available on site
Suntory
Suntory
Suntory
Though in terms of global sales Japanese whiskies amount to barely a drop in the glass -- none are among the world's ten best selling brands -- Japan's top distillers have seen a steady increase in production and exports since at least 2006, with @placeholder expecting to double its overseas exports by 2016.
Suntory
Suntory
Suntory
@placeholder is the reigning king to Nikka's scrappy underdog, but Nikka holds its own on the battlefield.
Nikka
Suntory is the reigning king to @placeholder's scrappy underdog, but Nikka holds its own on the battlefield.
Nikka
Suntory is the reigning king to Nikka's scrappy underdog, but @placeholder holds its own on the battlefield.