flavours is another term for distribution..
major distributions
listed on distrowatch.com
the best is whatever you make the best....its your call
too many distros to start comparing apples and oranges...in the end and when it all comes down to it, they are not all that different...
do a search on this site for keywords like "which is best" or "distribution" or "best distro", cause the question you just asked is the most common question i think to be ever ask in the existence of this website...