Catalyzes the conversion of coniferyl alcohol into coniferyl aldehyde in the eugenol degradation pathway. Specific for coniferyl alcohol; does not act on cinnamyl alcohol, 4-coumaryl alcohol or sinapyl alcohol. (E)-coniferol + NADP(+) = (E)-coniferaldehyde + H(+) + NADPH Belongs to the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR) family.