Supplemental Information (Net Sales by Product Category) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Net sales:
Net sales	$ 4,011	$ 4,096	$ 3,946
Spirits [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales	3,809	3,903	3,765
Wine [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales	$ 202	$ 193	$ 181

Aggregate revenue during the period from the sale of goods in the normal course of business, after deducting returns, allowances and discounts.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Name:	us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration