Had more or less the same question myself a few months back. Narrowed it to:
Salsa Spearfish (unknown quantity but always gets a mention – a few framesets about)
Giant Anthem (very good and competent but no ‘spark’ for me)
SC Tallboy (price issue)
2nd hand Whyte M109 of various types. (none popping up)
Turner Flux (ruled out due to price and availability)
Unfortunately price was of over riding concern, as it was a replacement for stolen uninsured 🙁
I ended up with a Charge Cooker 1 (it was v cheap and fancied trying out the riot that is 650b+) AND a Whyte T129 (again, cheap but burlier and maybe more suited to Welsh forays, Dartmoor etc.) simply down to them appearing within weeks of each other in the local classifieds.
I think the above list would be better for a single bike – the charge is a laugh and probably closer my riding type, the Whyte is probably too much bike in weight and capability, I don’t feel quite ‘right’ on it. I’ll likely move both on for either a new Swift with two wheelsets or something from that list. A T130 Whyte would also get a look, though not a 29er of course.