Oxidizes long-chain aliphatic alcohols, long-chain hydroxylated fatty acids and S-hydroxymethylglutathione (hmGSH) in increasing order of preference. Shows little or no activity with short-chain aliphatic alcohols. a primary alcohol + NAD(+) = an aldehyde + H(+) + NADH a secondary alcohol + NAD(+) = a ketone + H(+) + NADH NADP(+) + S-(hydroxymethyl)glutathione = H(+) + NADPH + S-formylglutathione NAD(+) + S-(hydroxymethyl)glutathione = H(+) + NADH + S-formylglutathione Binds 2 Zn(2+) ions per subunit. Homodimer. Belongs to the zinc-containing alcohol dehydrogenase family. Class-III subfamily.