Jamis makes some fine bikes, worthy of cult following, same as other companies like Kona, Trek, Cannondale, Specialized... or that mass-market company no longer distributed in the States, Bridgestone, who once hired some curmudgeon to run their USA division. Crazy.

Trek 520 has its own touring cult.

If I were considering a Rivendell and a Surly, I wouldn't have Soma too far from thought as well. Rivendell has boutique appeal and lugged construction, but like Surly, Soma does steel at a reasonable price. I also like the smaller companies selling a philosophy with their steel bikes, like Kogswell, Handsome, Steelwool, and Velo-Orange.

Not sure you can go too far wrong with any of these. Just that the bigger companies don't have the niche cache that others do.

But whatevs: I ride a small-maker steel bike with IGH -- IRO, FTW. All other makes are vastly inferior. Obviously.

Cult bikes, you say? Former owner of two Honda Hawk NT650gt motorcycles...