My favourites are Ultimate Edition2.9, artistX1.0,PinguyOS10.04 and Bodhi Linux1.0.
They all have different strengths and weaknesses and have their own unique community forums. Ultimate is the one I use most, but artistX is indispensible to me when I need some artwork done.
Bodhi, I am just experimenting with to help out the new kids on the block as it doesn't take up much disk-space.
I've used Mint in the past, in fact, it was my introduction to linux and I will probably try out LinuxMint12 to check out the new Gnome2 fork - M.A.T.E.
I'm not so much a distro-hopper as a distro-collector but Ultimate Edition remains my pride & joy.
All that I am or seem is but a dream within a dream.