Revisited this using Difford's 1/2 tsp of absinthe, which seems about right, and R. Elgar's proportions (2 : 3/4 : 1/4), which have mysteriously disappeared from the Comments. This time, however, I used a vermouth amaro (Punt e Mes; have to try Cocchi Dopo Teatro), which made it anything but lackluster. Whether it is "austere" depends on one's sensibilities regarding the optimal sweet-bitter-herbal balance, but I'd enjoy this with a plate of crawfish etouffee, and La Louisiane certainly deserves recognition however one mixes it.